Portable Device Syncing Image Apparatus Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In configurations without a server, existing technologies face challenges in managing and updating user setting information across multiple information processing apparatuses, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining the latest settings, especially when users switch between devices.
Innovation Solution
An image information processing apparatus that includes a notifying unit to update setting information and identify the latest settings stored in external apparatuses using function identification information, an authentication unit for secure updates, and display controllers to manage version-dependent setting items and display styles, ensuring that the latest settings are used and communicated efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If user setting information is stored in individual information processing apparatuses without a server, then maintenance and management issues are reduced, but it becomes difficult to update and synchronize settings across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device serves as an intermediary between multiple information processing apparatuses. It stores setting information and transfers it between devices, enabling synchronization without requiring a centralized server. When a user accesses a device, the portable device checks for updated settings and transfers them, or receives settings from the device and updates the portable device's storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing each information processing apparatus to autonomously check for and receive updated setting information from the portable device without manual intervention. The portable device automatically manages the distribution of settings based on device identification information, allowing the system to self-synchronize across multiple apparatuses.
2Reliability
If setting information is obtained from multiple apparatuses, then the latest settings can be found, but the complexity of managing and tracking settings across devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device implements a feedback mechanism by storing identification information of each information processing apparatus and using it to determine which device should provide the latest setting information. The system checks whether setting information has been updated by comparing device identification information, providing feedback on whether to obtain or transmit settings, thereby simplifying the management complexity while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device creates and maintains copies of setting information and device identification information locally. Instead of querying multiple apparatuses simultaneously, it stores copies of the necessary data and uses these copies to efficiently determine which device has the latest settings, reducing the complexity of cross-device settings management while maintaining accurate setting retrieval.
3Ease of operation
If setting information is updated frequently across devices, then users always have access to the latest settings, but unnecessary updates increase system load and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device performs preliminary actions by storing device identification information and setting information in advance. Before a user accesses an information processing apparatus, the portable device already has the necessary identification data stored, allowing it to quickly determine whether settings need updating without performing unnecessary checks. This preliminary storage action reduces the frequency of unnecessary update operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively updating setting information only when necessary. The portable device compares device identification information to determine whether a setting update is needed, avoiding excessive full-synchronization operations. This partial update approach maintains ease of operation by ensuring latest settings are available while improving productivity by reducing unnecessary update overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image information processing apparatus includes a memory, a first obtaining unit, a second obtaining unit, and an updating unit. The memory stores setting information that is information for indicating a condition in which a user has utilized a plug-in function of the image information processing apparatus. The first obtaining unit obtains, from a terminal apparatus, user identification information for identifying the user, function identification information for identifying a plug-in function utilized by the user, and apparatus identification information for identifying an apparatus that stores latest setting information used when the user has utilized the plug-in function most recently. The second obtaining unit obtains, in a case where the apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information is an external apparatus, the latest setting information from the external apparatus. The updating unit updates the setting information stored in the memory to the latest setting information obtained by the second obtaining unit.